Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 will examine how the country can better connect with Asia’s expanding economic networks to attract investment, increase trade and strengthen its participation in regional value chains.
Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 to examine trade, investment and regional value chains.
The session, titled “Linking Sri Lanka to Asia’s Growth Networks: Trade, Corridors, and Value Chains,” will be held during the summit organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on October 12 and 13. It will focus on the practical steps Sri Lanka can take to deepen its economic integration with Asian markets and build stronger links with regional and global trade networks.
The discussion comes as Asia continues to account for a substantial share of global economic activity, investment and manufacturing. For Sri Lanka, improving its access to these networks could create opportunities to expand exports, attract new investment and support businesses seeking to participate in international supply chains.
The session will explore how the country can position itself more effectively within these evolving economic relationships. Key areas of discussion will include trade connectivity, investment facilitation and the creation of a business environment that enables local companies to engage more successfully with regional and global value chains.
P D Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, will deliver the keynote address before joining a panel discussion. The panel will include Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata, Toyota Lanka Chairman Masaaki Kawabata and Maliban Biscuits CEO Ravi Jayawardena.
The discussion will be moderated by Subhashini Abeysinghe, Research Director at Verité Research. The combination of public-sector, diplomatic, financial and private-sector perspectives is expected to bring attention to both policy requirements and the practical considerations businesses face when assessing investment and supply-chain opportunities.
According to The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the session will consider what Sri Lanka needs to do to strengthen its position within Asia’s growth networks. This includes improving trade links, attracting investment and supporting a business environment that allows companies to participate more effectively in regional and international production systems.
The session will also draw on the experiences of businesses and international institutions operating across Asia. These perspectives are relevant to understanding how companies evaluate markets, establish supply chains and identify locations for investment. Factors such as infrastructure, logistics, regulatory conditions, market access and workforce capabilities can influence these decisions.
For Sri Lanka, the discussion around regional value chains is particularly relevant as businesses seek to move beyond traditional trade relationships and connect with wider production and distribution networks. Stronger integration could support opportunities in manufacturing, services, logistics, technology and other sectors, depending on the country’s ability to address competitiveness and connectivity requirements.
The summit will also consider the partnerships and strategies needed to make Sri Lanka a more competitive participant in Asia’s growth networks. These may include stronger trade relationships, improved transport and logistics connections, investment partnerships and policies that encourage innovation and private-sector development.
The broader objective is to identify ways in which Sri Lanka can respond to changes in global trade and investment patterns while building a more resilient and outward-looking economy. As companies reassess supply chains and regional operating locations, countries with reliable infrastructure, predictable policies and effective market access may be better positioned to attract new economic activity.
The session will form part of the second day of the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy.”
By bringing together policymakers, investors, business leaders and international representatives, the summit is expected to provide a platform for examining how Sri Lanka can strengthen its economic connections and identify practical opportunities within Asia’s evolving growth landscape.